L2
Every year when I think EA cant make the L2 worse they certainly find a way. After playing elite playoffs its all the "top" clubs do. L2 skate backwards and then you cant touch them as they skate but...
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L2 skate backwards and then you cant touch them as they skate butt first into the net
You absolutely can touch them. This notion that the current LT abuse makes people invulnerable to a shove is just not true. It takes a little better positioning and anticipation, but you can absolutely shut this play down.
Before people start attacking and claiming I'm just defending the game - let me be clear - the current ability for players to negate lateral skating animations that would otherwise impede their ability to maintain their speed by way of utilizing a combination of puck protect and Vision Control is not good and should be addressed.
However, it doesn't negate shoves and it doesn't provide an actual speed burst.
My suggestion is be a little more passive on defense and work to keep the abusers to the outside of the middle of the ice. This will give you much more time to use DSS and body positioning to shut this down:
Just keep in mind that as the abuser, you want the defender to take actions that will cause a trip or cause the defender to slow down, ie: a mistimed poke check or body check. Pro tip: Initialize DSS by holding RS to the right or left before holding down R1 - this will put your player into DSS without executing a poke check to slow you down.
Notice in my clip how I am actually doing a 'poke' without slowing down. I'm just entering DSS as described and placing my stick in such a way that discourages certain movements.
Just maintain position and don't take any actions until the puck carrier is right in your wheelhouse and you can shut this down every single time.
I suspect OP is complaining about people using the L2 mechanic to skate with the puck while facing the boards instead of the interior of the offensive zone. It's not impossible to defend, but it mostly takes away the ability for a defender to use their stick, and it's really easy to spin off a hit or shove if the defender tries to get physical. Plus, it's one of those mechanics that just looks wrong, which adds to people's frustration IMO.
This doesn't take anything away from your post. it's a good breakdown of how to defend against people using the L2 mechanic in the intended way. I just think the OP is talking about something else.
You are correct! I have nearly 1000 games this year and plenty of hours. His clip is the easiest to defend and that is no where near what I was talking about. I do think every year EA takes away a tool from defense because all the players who want to have 5 points a game complain they can't do that if defense is allowed. Poke checking slowing you down is the worst change this franchise has ever brought to the game and I have played since NHL 09. I just think the L2 abuse has been in the game for far too long and it turns this game into a buggy mess when it is displayed. The saddest part is even the pros who play this game for money do it, so watching the tourneys is zero fun and just turns into who can abuse L2 the best.
His clip is the easiest to defend and that is no where near what I was talking about
Player turns his back at the last second, I successfully utilize DSS to discourage moving from the backhand to the forehand and give the goalie a chance to poke check
I play a lot of Div 1 WoC and competitive OVP and not a lot of people utilize DSS which is a shame because it's very useful.
